Cost guides › Tree removal
United Kingdom
How much does tree removal cost?
Having a tree surgeon take down one medium tree, about 30 to 50 ft tall, grind out the stump and take the waste away typically costs £1,450 including VAT, with most quotes between £1,100 and £1,850. Felling and clearing without the stump is about £1,100; with the grindings removed and the hole topsoiled and seeded it is around £1,550. Change the height and the site in the calculator, or add the arboricultural report you need for a protected tree.
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | £1,200 | £1,550 | £1,650 |
| Scotland | £1,100 | £1,450 | £1,550 |
| South East | £1,100 | £1,450 | £1,550 |
| East | £1,050 | £1,400 | £1,500 |
| East Midlands | £1,050 | £1,400 | £1,500 |
| North East | £1,050 | £1,400 | £1,500 |
| North West | £1,050 | £1,400 | £1,500 |
| South West | £1,050 | £1,400 | £1,500 |
| Wales | £1,050 | £1,400 | £1,500 |
| West Midlands | £1,050 | £1,400 | £1,500 |
Show all regions
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £1,050 | £1,400 | £1,500 |
What's included
Mid-range
- Crew, chipper and stump grinder brought to site
- Tree dismantled in sections by a climbing tree surgeon
- Brash chipped on site
- Timber and chippings loaded and taken away, disposal included
- Stump ground out below ground level
- Clearing sawdust and debris from lawns and beds
What affects the cost
Height and spread
Tree surgeons price mostly on height, trunk size and crown spread. A 25 ft birch is a morning's work; a mature oak or a tall conifer can take a full team a day or more.
Access and targets
A tree that can be felled whole into an open garden is the cheapest. Over a roof, greenhouse, fence, road or overhead cables, the crew has to rig every section down on ropes, which takes longer and needs more people.
Getting the waste out
Terraced houses with no side access mean everything is carried or chipped and bagged through the house or over a wall, which adds hours to the job.
Stump grinding
Grinding the stump costs more for large hardwood stumps and where a grinder can't reach easily. Leaving the stump cut low is cheaper but it may send up suckers.
Protected trees
If the tree has a Tree Preservation Order or stands in a conservation area, you need consent or must give notice before any work. An arboricultural report supports the application and is a separate cost.
Nesting birds
Good tree surgeons check for active nests before felling in spring and summer, which can push a job back. Many prefer to fell in autumn and winter when the leaves are off.
How to save
- Check with your council whether the tree is protected before you get quotes, so the work isn't delayed.
- Keep the logs for firewood or the chip for mulch and ask for a lower price.
- Have other trees pruned or hedges cut on the same visit while the crew and chipper are on site.
- Choose a tree surgeon with arboricultural qualifications and public liability insurance; ask to see both.
Grants, tax and rules
Tree Preservation Orders
In England, cutting down a tree protected by a Tree Preservation Order without the council's consent is an offence, with a fine of up to £20,000 in the magistrates' court and unlimited in the Crown Court. If the council has not decided a consent application within 8 weeks, you can appeal.
Conservation areas
Trees in a conservation area that have no TPO still need 6 weeks' written notice to the council (a section 211 notice) before felling, unless an exception applies; trees with a trunk diameter of 75 mm or less are exempt.
VAT
Our figures include 20% VAT.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to have a tree removed in the UK?
A medium tree of about 30 to 50 ft with stump grinding and waste removal costs around £1,450 including VAT. Felling without the stump is about £1,100.
How much does stump grinding cost?
It depends on the stump's diameter and access. Our mid-range figure includes grinding; switch the stump off in the calculator to see the difference for your tree.
Do I need permission to cut down a tree in my garden?
Not usually, unless it is protected by a Tree Preservation Order or you are in a conservation area. Ask your local council before booking the work; felling a protected tree without consent can lead to a fine of up to £20,000 in the magistrates' court.
How long does it take to remove a tree?
A small garden tree takes a couple of hours; a medium tree with stump grinding is usually a morning or a day for a crew of two or three. Large trees over buildings can take longer, especially where everything has to go out through the house.
When is the best time to remove a tree?
Autumn and winter, when there are no nesting birds, leaves are off and tree surgeons are less busy. Dangerous trees should be dealt with at any time of year.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 27.9 · Labour: £890 · Materials: £307
Sources: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, tables 14 and 15; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates; market check: One 30-50 ft tree, stump ground, arisings removed, incl. VAT. Checkatrade tree removal cost (updated May/Jun 2026: up to 25 ft £240-340, 30 ft £410-590, 40 ft £670-960, 50 ft £1,190-1,720, 60 ft+ £1,700-2,450; stump grinding £160-710; tree survey £300-420).
Last reviewed 26 September 2026 · How we calculate costs · Editorial policy